When Fate Decides

I love watching movies. I think mostly because it does for me what books can't; and am not saying I'd trade books for a movie, no way! Movies give me the visuals that even a good book can't. However, that said, I'd prefer reading a book than watching a movie adapted from that book any time. So, when I went looking for my monthly read in my local library, I stumbled upon the book 'A Twist of Fate'. I remember thinking...' what a cliche way to name a book'. However, once I read the back of it, I thought...'well, this could be an adventure.' So I took it home.

'A Twist of Fate' to me was an actual drama movie in play...and in my opinion, if it were to be adapted into a film, would sell for a lot. After reading the prologue, I couldn't help but wonder where Joanna Rees derived her motivation from...a movie perhaps? I have to admit, while reading I felt a sense of 'book deja vu' if that makes sense. Most parts had cliche moments and I could figure out how things were going to turn out. However, there were parts of it that left you thinking...I didn't think it would go that way. This made  it all the more worthwhile. :)

Joanna seems to have a knack for detail, because this book oozes it. From the beginning everything is explained in more words than you would think necessary. For example, if I quote a line..."she turned now as the telephone rang next to the hotel bed, quickly fastening her dangling jade earrings, which she'd bought in Switzerland." You see, that sentence could have easily made sense without the emphasis on her earrings but Joanna wants to give her readers a visual and she goes all the way to pointing out that her earrings were jade! So immediately you can tell even without reading the book that the 'she' referred to here is rich and what's the opposite of that...well, poor! Hence the cliche theme of rich girl-poor girl is in play. However, many a time, Joanna pulled a surprise on me that got me saying.. aaaaaahhh . :)

The book speaks on two sisters born within months of each other. They are separated at a few months old, one to live a luxurious life in America and the other, to a pathetic life at an orphanage in East Germany. Romy (poor girl) manages to escape the orphanage but not her past. In a desperate fit to bury it, she makes choices that altogether lead her back to that past. Then we have Thea (rich girl) who lives happily up until her mother dies and her father immediately remarries. With a new step mother and an older step brother who assaults her, she is desperate to reclaim her birth rite and work to make her father proud. From here, we see their lives unfold and fate take its place as their paths cross severally without either knowing who the other is.

This story I have to admit took me on an emotional roller coaster. One time am fearing for Romy and another time, am feeling sorry for Thea. Don't worry dear readers, there are many a good times in this book. The general idea about it is based on triumph, love and yes, ultimately, a reunion. I do however appreciate that Joanna was careful not to make romance the main theme in the novel. One other thing she excels at is making sure the story moves along in rhythm despite the huge time span of 40 years (1971-2011). I applaud her, for this is no mean feat. She even manages to squeeze in the 9/11 attacks in the story that saw and to my surprise, the death of a character I had come to really like. Nevertheless, I give her a thumbs up for not giving me what I expected...the element of surprise was therefore not lacking in this book. :)

'A Twist of Fate' is a book for anyone who loves a good drama. With lots of stories neatly put together chronologically, it promises a good read. And if you have a lazy day, I highly recommend it. You might not want to put it down. :)